Hydrangea plant named ‘BCHY-11.033’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BCHY-11.033’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The variety ‘BCHY-11.033’ has attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, attractive, nonuniform sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics. Many non-sepalous florets in the center of the inforescence make the new variety look similar to a lace-cap variety.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.033’.

Variety denomination: ‘BCHY-11.033’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theSaxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangeamacrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.033’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled crossbetween the unpatented variety known as ‘8.1’ which was the seed parentand the variety ‘BC8.3’ which was the pollen parent. The pollen parent,‘BC8.3’, is the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,507, filed Apr. 8,2013. ‘BC8.1’ has attractive inflorescences but a growth habit that isnot suitable for commercial production of ornamental potted plants.‘BC8.3’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively largesepalous florets that surround and almost hide all of the non-sepalousflorets in the center of the panicle, attractive sepal pigmentation, andstems that branch easily and are relatively strong.

The variety ‘BCHY-11.033’ has relatively large sepalous florets,non-uniform sepal pigmentation at maturity and good commercialcharacteristics. ‘BCHY-11.033’ has compact, attractive inflorescenceswith relatively large sepalous florets that surround and almost hide allof the non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle. The color ofthe sepals changes as the plant ages. Below is a table comparing the newvariety to similar varieties.

TABLE 1 Commerical variety ‘Venedig’ New U.S. U.S. which may be VarietyPlant Pat. Plant Pat. U.S. Plant ‘BCHY- No. 23,757 No. 25,507 Pat. No.10,928 11.033’ ‘BC6.1’ ‘BC8.3’ ‘Venice Raven’ Leaf size 9.5 cm 12 cmwide × 10 cm × 16 11 cm wide × wide × 12.5 15 cm long cm 15.5 cm long-cm long source U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 Plant 13″ in 6″ 15″ in 6″ pot.15″ in 6″ 12″ in 6″ pot- height pot. pot observed controls grown along-side ‘BC6.1’. Stem Strong Stems are Stems are Strong - strength strongbut relatively observed benefit from strong. controls grown being stakedalongside ‘BC6.1’. Sepal Both sides Upper side of Upper side Upper sideof Pigmen- of sepals are sepals is of sepals is sepals is R.H.S. tationR.H.S. 68 C R.H.S. 86 A R.H.S. 73A 84 A (violet (red-purple (violetgroup); (red-purple group). Under group). Under side of group) in sideof sepals is sepals is center, and R.H.S. 85 A R.H.S. 88 D margins of(violet group) (violet group) sepals are observed R.H.S. 56 A controls(red group). grown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Sepalous 70 mm 70 mm 50 mm to 70mm- Floret 60 mm observed Size- controls grown Diameter alongside‘BC6.1’.

The new cultivar ‘BCHY-11.033’ has been successfully asexuallyreproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery inHalf Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with itsdistinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere used from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexuallyreproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. showthat the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for‘BCHY-11.033’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit,dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit,dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the floor of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an inflorescence.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of a floret.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the upperside of a panicle of the newvariety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the underside of the panicle of the newvariety.

FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 8 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plant shown is approximately a year old. The plant started out ascuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. The plant was pinchedearly to promote lateral branches.

‘BCHY-11.033’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, treatment withaluminum and day length. Color determinations were made with The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, developed in associationwith the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a seedling    from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety known as    ‘8.1’ which was the seed parent and the commercial variety ‘BC8.3’    which was the pollen parent. ‘BC8.3’ is the subject of U.S. Plant    Pat. No. 25,507, filed Apr. 8, 2013.-   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature    inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 13″ high and    has a diameter of 18″ when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil    amendments.-   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is large. The    plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.    Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main    stems.-   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet    group) and are 1 to 3 mm long. The surface of young stems is    glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young    stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 146 C (yellow-green    group). The older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown    group). Younger portions of the stems are 7 mm in diameter. Older    portions of the stems are 7 mm in diameter.-   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.    -   -   Shape of leaf.—Ovate with rounded base and acute apex.            Margins are serrate.        -   Texture.—Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the            leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf surface.        -   Color.—Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A            (yellow-green group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 A            (green group). Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and            veins branching off the midvein are large and prominent on            the underside of the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 145 A            (yellow-green group). Leaves are as wide as 9.5 cm and 12.5            cm long. Petioles are smooth and approximately 2.5 cm long            and 4 mm wide. Petioles are R.H.S. 145 A (yellow-green            group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals. Most    buds, whether they will mature into sepalous or non-sepalous    florets, have 5 petals. Buds in the center of the inflorescence are    non-sepalous. The minority of buds will develop into sepalous    florets. They are approximately 2 mm by 2 mm when very young. Buds    can be 5 mm in diameter and still unopened. Color of mature buds is    R.H.S. 73 B (red-purple group).-   Aspect: Smooth.-   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 150 individual florets (both    sepalous and non-sepalous) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets    and non-sepalous florets borne on the same panicle. Flowers do not    produce a fragrance. The peduncle for the inflorescence is strong    and upright. Many non-sepalous florets developing early on cymes    that are later almost all hidden by sepalous florets that form at    the outside of the panicle. Florets, both sepalous and non-sepalous,    have anthers and style. Inflorescences are long-lasting, up to six    weeks.-   Size of inflorescence: Compact and flat. Individual inflorescence    size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical inflorescence    can grow as large as 9″ in diameter, and 4″ high.-   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap    one another. Sepals are persistent.-   Appearance: Showy.

FLORETS

-   General: The non-sepalous florets at the center of the inflorescence    open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets are perfect and    complete. Corolla: Generally, for both sepalous and non-sepalous    florets there are 5 petals. Petals are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm    wide. Petals are R.H.S. 73 B (red-purple group). Lenticels are    present on pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets,    lenticels are no more than 1 mm to 4mm long and very narrow.    Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B (red-purple group). Pedicel length for    non-sepalous florets averages 4 mm. Pedicel length of sepalous    florets is approximately 30 mm in length for plants of this age.    Pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets continue to    elongate as the inflorescence ages. Pedicels range from 68 C    (red-purple group) to R.H.S. 146 C (yellow-green group) near floret    when mature.-   Stamens: 8 to 10 stamens. Anther is regular and basally attached.-   Stigma: Two to three style each, although most florets have two    style. Each style has one stigma.-   Ovary: Ovary is partially inferior.-   Sepalous florets:    -   -   General.—Veins dominate on the underside of the sepals.        -   Number of sepals.—4 to 5 sepals per floret, usually 4.        -   Aspect of sepals.—Smooth and glaucescent.        -   Shape of sepals.—Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are            entire, but with much crenation.        -   Size of sepals.—As the florets mature, the sepals enlarge            and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is            no space between the sepals when the petals of the florets            open. Sepals at maturity are typically 35 mm long and 40 mm            wide. Sepalous florets are typically 70 mm in diameter. The            upper sides of the sepals are R.H.S. 68 C (red-purple group)            and the undersides are the same. Pigmentation develops at            the tips of the sepals and travels inward towards base of            the sepals. Pigmentation lightens as the sepals reach            maturity. Pigmentation of mature florets is 73 D (red-purple            group).-   Fruit: None.-   Disease and pest resistance: Unknown.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BCHY-11.033’ substantially as herein illustrated and described. 